Russia's recent use of a medium-range ballistic missile in Ukraine has been condemned as a "severe escalation" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The missile, described as experimental and capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), targeted a military site in the city of Dnipro, triggering widespread international alarm.
Zelenskyy labeled the attack as "yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace," urging the global community to respond decisively. "Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength," he said in a statement following the strike. The Ukrainian president warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "testing the world" with actions that disregard international norms.
The missile, named "Oreshnik" (the hazel) by Russian officials, was launched in what Moscow claims to be a response to Western countries supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons. Putin asserted that Moscow "had the right" to strike at Western nations supporting Kyiv. "A regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character," he said during a televised address. He added that Russia would "respond decisively and symmetrically" to any further escalation.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed that the missile was based on the design of Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Although the missile carried a conventional warhead during the Dnipro strike, Singh noted that it could be modified to carry nuclear warheads. "This was a new type of lethal capability that was employed on the battlefield, so that's certainly a concern to us," she said.
The use of MIRVs in a conventional military strike is unprecedented. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, stated, "To my knowledge, yes, it's the first time MIRV has been used in combat." Traditionally, such missiles have been associated with nuclear deterrence and have never before been deployed in active combat.
NATO swiftly condemned the strike, with spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah stating, "Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine." The United Nations also expressed alarm, with spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric describing the development as "yet another concerning and worrying escalation." He called for all parties to prioritize de-escalation and the protection of civilians.
The strike came amid heightened military activity from both sides. Ukraine recently used U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to target a weapons depot in Russia's Bryansk region and fired UK-made Storm Shadow missiles at a command post in Kursk. Putin described the missile strike on Dnipro as a response to these actions, emphasizing that Russia would continue testing and deploying advanced weapons systems.
Zelenskyy called on the international community to take a firmer stance against Russia. "Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. Putin is very sensitive to this. He must be stopped. A lack of tough reactions to Russia's actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable," he said. He also stressed the importance of continued support from Ukraine's allies to counter Russia's aggression.
Defense experts warn that the use of MIRVs could destabilize global security. Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, noted that such missiles, originally designed for nuclear warheads, could heighten tensions and influence NATO's strategic decisions. "Russia's development of these missiles could shape decisions on air defense systems and offensive capabilities in NATO countries," he said.
The Dnipro strike also highlights the growing arms race among global powers. Beyond Russia and the United States, nations such as China, India, and Pakistan are advancing their own MIRV technology. Kristensen and colleague Matt Korda have warned that the proliferation of MIRVs could incentivize first strikes in a crisis, reducing global stability.
As the conflict nears its third year, both Russia and Ukraine appear to be ramping up efforts to solidify their positions ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20. Trump has pledged to end the war, though his strategy remains unclear. In the meantime, the missile strike on Dnipro underscores the dangerous escalation in a war that shows no signs of abating.
